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Secrets of the Superhuman Food Pyramid: Benefits of Soda Water

Soda water is water into which low levels of pressurized carbon dioxide has been dissolved. Soda water has long been considered a wholesome alternative to regular water. Soda water has that characteristic fizz and slightly sour flavor which is why it is preferred by those who dislike the flat taste of plain still water. And aside from it being a zero-calorie drink, soda water offers a handful of other health benefits as well.

Read further and discover more about the benefits of soda water and why the Superhuman Food Pyramid recommends you include this source of hydration to help in your quest to Become Superhuman.

Soda Water Benefits:

Soda water, first and foremost, is just as efficient at hydrating the body as plain tap or mineral water. Because of its distinctive flavor, one tends to drink more soda water as well, which overall is beneficial in and of itself. With more than half of Americans suffering from chronic dehydration, opting for soda water may just offer a solution to the problem.

Soda water consumption may also aid those with impaired digestion as well as those who are predisposed to gallstones formation. In a study published on the European Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, patients suffering from dyspepsia and constipation were divided into two groups, with one group made to drink carbonated water while the other with tap water for more than two weeks. Those who drank soda water reported improved overall digestion and gallbladder emptying and lesser incidence of constipation.

Also, soda water, specifically the sodium-rich carbonated mineral water variety, appears to have heart-healthy benefits. In a Spanish study, postmenopausal women who were given sodium-rich carbonated mineral water for two months exhibited decreased risk of developing coronary heart disease as compared to those who drank regular mineral water.

Soda water has long been vilified as one of the culprits that cause dental erosion. While it is true that soda water has erosive properties, its dental effects prove highly negligible as was proven in a University of Birmingham study. In the study, it was found that soda water’s erosive capacity is still one hundred times lower than that of commercially available sweetened soda and pop drinks. It turns out the sugar content as well as the type of acidity regulator used, which in the case of most sodas is phosphoric acid, are the ones to blame for dental erosion and not carbonation itself.

Soda water has been identified as the cause of osteoporosis in the soda-drinking population as well. Again, this claim has long been established as untrue. A Creighton University Osteoporosis Research Center study, for instance, has proven that soda water consumption does not result in the leaching of calcium to the urine. A Tufts University study, on the other hand, has established that it isn’t the carbonation but instead the use of the phosphoric acid in commercial soft drinks that causes low bone mineral density.

Soda Water Practical Uses:

Purchasing soda water can be expensive through time. Plus, you can’t really be sure about the ingredients used in the flavored varieties sold in the market as there are some that add harmful artificial sweeteners like aspartame and acesulfame. Fortunately, you can make your very own at home with the use of a soda water maker set. What’s best, you can choose healthier flavoring agents to your homemade soda water such as fresh lemon and apple wedges.

In the next post, I’ll tell you the benefits of coconut water and why you should drink it to help in your quest to Become Superhuman.

In the meantime, if you care to jump ahead, here is a complete listing of drinks to avoid as well as consume regularly and moderately on the Superhuman Food Pyramid:

If you have questions, comments or feedback about the benefits of soda water, the Superhuman Food Pyramid, this website, or other aspects of Becoming Superhuman, then leave your thoughts below, as well as any tips you have on the benefits of soda water.

Author Bio: Ben Greenfield

Ben Greenfield is head coach of the Superhuman Coach Network, and an author, speaker and consultant. His blog is at http://www.bengreenfieldfitness.com and he can be hired for coaching at http://www.greenfieldfitnesssystems.com.

His credentials include:

Bachelor’s and master’s degrees from University of Idaho in sports science and exercise physiology Personal training and strength and conditioning certifications from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) Sports nutrition certification from the International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) Advanced bicycle fitting certification from Serotta, the “Harvard” of bicycle fitting schools Over 10 years experience in coaching professional, collegiate, and recreational athletes from all sports

Ben hosts the highly popular fitness, nutrition and wellness website at http://www.bengreenfieldfitness.com, which features blogs, podcasts, and product reviews from Ben. He is a frequent contributor to Triathlete magazine and LAVA magazine, Endurance Planet (http://www.enduranceplanet.com), the outdoor sports magazine OutThere Monthly and has been featured in WebMD, the Spokesman-Review, Inlander magazine, In-Health magazine, Fit-Pro magazine, PTontheNet, Prevention magazine, Women’s Running magazine, and Inside Triathlon magazine.

As a public speaker on fitness, nutrition, and training, Ben hosts one of the top ranked fitness podcasts in iTunes, the Get-Fit Guy (http://www.GetFitGuy.com), and has been a keynote lecturer at the Hawaii Ironman World Championships Medical Conference, the Coeur D’ Alene Ironman Medical Conference, USAT Art & Science of Coaching Symposium, Can-Fit-Pro Conference, Pilgrim’s Wellness Center Education Series, Fleet Feet Sports Endurance Sports Clinic and REI Nutrition Clinic. He sits on the board of directors for Tri-Fusion triathlon team, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and is the official coach for the YoungTri. As a triathlon coach and competitor, Ben competes at Ironman and Half-Ironman World Championships, holds a ranking as of USAT’s top ranked age grouper triathletes, and competes in 15-20 triathlons each year, both nationally and internationally.

Disclaimer: This blog is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice, and no doctor/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on this blog or materials linked from this blog is at the user's own risk. The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard, or delay in obtaining, medical advice for any medical condition they may have, and should seek the assistance of their health care professionals for any such conditions.